This butterfly bush bloom was one of the last ones still around while I ate lunch outside of my studio this past fall. It's natural shape and positioning is meant to bend down and this had me thinking about my posture before God and how it often is arrogant, demanding, hostile. I push back, I fight. As a human being created by God, this is my most natural posture, but it's not the one that is meant for me. We were created to know and love our Creator in that place of relationship, to come humbly and in surrender to a being that is far greater than we can imagine and loves us more than we could ever hope.
This image also reminds me of Jesus in the Garden, submitting his will to the Father's in the grandest display of humility we will ever know. Why? Because of love. His humble prayer and his humble posture shows me how I am to approach God's throne.
While this isn't a natural posture for me, it is one I strive to practice because despite myself, for it brings out the best in me and it also draws me nearer to God who makes such beautiful object lessons like the butterfly bush.
This 6x6 original work created with paper collage and oil paint is varnished with a semi-gloss retouch varnish and wired on the back for hanging. The collage materials and paint wrap around the edges for a finished look that doesn't require framing.